Representing more than 12,500 homes for social rent in North West Glasgow, The Charter to Challenge Poverty was launched in direct response to SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) figures released on 31 August this year.

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They show the associations’ areas are home to many of the country’s most deprived households with significant numbers in the top 5 per cent.

The Charter also responds to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation strategy We Can Solve Poverty in the UK published on September 6.

The strategy lays out recommendations for housing providers including a call for more investment in low-cost rented housing, affordable rent setting and help for tenants to become digitally included.

The Charter to Challenge Poverty project was the idea of Queens Cross chief executive, Shona Stephen.

Shona, who sits on Glasgow City Council’s Poverty Leadership Panel, said": “By developing the charter our associations will use our collective voice to challenge the idea that poverty is acceptable in a modern Scotland and do what we can to alleviate its impact.

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“The national statistics prove what we see and deal with on the ground every day; that the impact of poverty on people’s lives, opportunities, education, health and wellbeing is immeasurable and the stigma can last a lifetime.”

Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The council will work with our partners wherever and whenever we can to introduce measures that can reduce poverty and make a real difference to those people affected by it. This charter has several such measures.”

Challenge Poverty Week, run by The Poverty Alliance, takes place on 16-22 October this year. Its aims are to highlight the reality of poverty, challenge stereotypes, demonstrate action being taken and increase public support.